Hairdressing career advice

[Crash]

I’m over 40 (but a young 40 +!!) and looking for a career change.
I’ve always been creative and love people. Someone suggested hairdressing to me.

I can’t afford to go down the apprentice route, Kids, mortgage etc. so evening classes will have to be my only way in.

Should I retrain? What’s life like as a hairdresser? Would you recommend it as a career for a mid lifer?
I’m after genuine advice. Be brutally honest.

 

[adamlea87]

Classes are great BUT you will need salon experience and many salons will not to take people over the lower minimum pay wages. That may be your biggest hurdle.

As an apprentice money will be minimum wage and it will be a long time until you take home a decent wage as a stylist.

On the other hand you can make a living with it, maybe have a salon at home etc.. but it is bloody hard work.

It depends on your financial situation, but it won't make you a millionare..

 

[creativexox]

My brutally honest advice would be... if it’s what you really want then go for it, however, Regardless of what anyone says I don’t think hairdressing is a “pick a name out of a hat” type job for the following reasons:
-It’s hard graft.. standing for long periods of time, a lot of work and energy goes into it and not just the practical element! It’s actaully exhausting standing and performing a technical skill whilst smiling ear to ear chatting about your clients sisters neighbours cat having kittens! Lol..
-it’s not a “quick fix” financially.. by this I mean you have to practice (A LOT) and be prepared to build yourself up over the years, college/classes seem like a commitment in itself but then comes all the time you need after qualifying to build on your experience and get a loyal client base
-Sometimes you wonder why on earth you do what you do. Not all clients will be easy to please and you will almost certainly get “one of those people” at some point in your career, who will complain about anything and everything.
But again- I have to say, if it’s what you really want to do then go for it! It’s like any other job.. there’s good days and bad. If you have a general passion for hair then it could be an amazing pathway to take.
Good luck xx